Published 3:16 am, Tuesday, September 1, 2009

In his first public comments on Wright Tech since the state Department of Education announced last month that it will suspend operations at the school for two years, Fedele said last week: "It's the budget. . . . We don't have any money."

The state Board of Education, responding to a request from Gov. M. Jodi Rell to suggest budget cuts in light of the deficit, voted in December to close Wright for two years.

Fedele, a Republican, and Stamford's legislative delegation hoped to ensure the school's future through a close partnership with Norwalk Community College, possibly as part of a larger "middle college" initiative combining Connecticut's vocational technical schools and colleges.

But the legislature never embraced the proposal, arguing it lacked details. Rell eventually decided to adopt the recommended Wright closure in her two-year budget package.

Fedele said the middle college proposal lacked "meat" for a reason. "We wanted the legislature to be involved in the design of this," he said.

But Fedele acknowledged even if lawmakers embraced the idea, it might not have gone ahead because of the fiscal problems.

"Those require a monetary infusion which we do not have," he said. "The monies just aren't there."

Though the General Assembly's Democratic-majority pledged to fund Wright, they and Rell have yet to reach a budget agreement. With the first day of school scheduled for Aug. 27, enrollment down and many teachers having retired or transferred over the summer, state Education Commissioner Dr. Mark McQuillan announced it was too late to re-open Wright for the new school year.

The decision left about 130 returning students or freshman and their families scrambling to figure out whether to try to attend another technical school in Bridgeport or Danbury or their local public schools.

"It's an unfortunate situation for the parents and students, clearly," Fedele said. "I feel for them."

Fedele said the timing of the decision was difficult because Wright has been tied up in budget talks between Rell and the General Assembly.

In letters to parents, the Board of Education made it clear transportation to other technical schools will not be provided -- which some have complained is unfair.

Fedele would not take a clear position on whether the state should reconsider, saying only that it is an option for the state Board of Education.

Others, including Sen. Andrew McDonald, D-Stamford, have expressed skepticism the state Board of Education and the Rell administration intend to re-open Wright in two years.

"I think they're very sincere about it," Fedele said, but he added, "It's not just putting the key in the door and opening it."

"Clearly for us to move forward, it's going to require a plan and an investment," Fedele said.

The Rell administration said one reason Wright was being shut down is that the school needs an upgrade costing upward of $100 million.

Fedele initially said Wright's future is in the hands of the state Board of Education. But when it comes to funding the necessary improvements to re-open, Fedele acknowledged: "The legislature, the governor -- they all play a role."

McDonald has argued that if the state intends to re-open Wright, it needs to begin investing in the infrastructure.

Fedele made no promises.

"I would say all items are on the table as we discuss the budget," he said.

Staff Writer Brian Lockhart can be reached at brian.lockhart@scni.com.